Borreliosis in Cats
(Feline Lyme Disease)
Clinical disease in cats is rarely reported. Despite the common findings of antibodies reactive to B. burgdorferi in cats in endemic areas, clinical disease is poorly understood. Consequently, little is known about the prevalence of infection, disease manifestations, and treatment recommendations for feline infections. It is probable that most cats are able to resist the illness but clinical disease occurs when the animal becomes immune-compromised.
Clinical Signs & Symptoms
Observed symptoms in the few reported cases include:
- Lethargy (weakness / loss of energy)
- Anorexia (loss of appetite which leads to weight loss)
- Pyrexia (fever)
- Inflammatory arthritis - may be mono- or polyarthritis (single or multiple joint involvement)
Sudden collapse and a "zombie-like" trance have been described. In cases of heavy infestation, severe anaemia has been reported. In most cases, diagnosis was successful because tick attachment was observed or reported. Without a tick-bite history, misdiagnosis may occur, because symptoms tend to be ambiguous.
Diagnostic Tests
Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), C6 ELISA, or characteristic serum proteins analysis (Western blot technique). See Borreliosis / Lyme disease in dogs for information on the limitations of blood-testing techniques.
Treatment
The general treatments of choice are Amoxicillin, Tetracycline and Doxycycline.
References
Vaccines
There is currently to vaccine against Borreliosis for cats in the UK.
